Friday, September 10, 2010

Chapter 13: Contemplation

In this chapter, Kelly explores his second pillar of Catholic spirituality: contemplation. It might have been entitled "Contemplation and Prayer," but I like the emphasis on contemplation (and quiet) as a starting point. "Be still and know that I am God" - Psalm 46. With reference to the Catholic aspect of this pillar, we have an especially rich tradition in this area, with the examples set by many saints, monastics and popes. (Pope John Paul II began each day at 0530 with over an hour of private prayer).
Kelly's first important theme in the chapter is "thought determines action." In order to live a "Christ-centered life" we have to put Christ and "the Good" in the center of our thoughts, as outlined by the quotation from Philippians. As these are not the typical things we're bombarded with each day in our culture, what can help us focus our thoughts? "The Classroom of Silence." I agree with Kelly that this silence is crucial to our spiritual life. He makes two promises: that in the silence we'll find God and ourselves. Importantly, though, he emphasizes that these discoveries will not be epiphanies. It will be a gradual process that takes discipline and work.
The problem of NOISE in our lives is so difficult, and it really does not allow us to hear the voice of God. I loved the quote from Screwtape - "we will make the whole universe a noise in the end." Our "inner noise" is as much a problem, though, as the external noise of our culture, and this is especially true for me. Much of the inner noise (duties, tasks, figuring out my responsibilities as a Catholic citizen in the political and cultural battles) has its importance, but must be regularly set aside for quiet listening to God.
Kelly suggests a starting point to try and do this - his "ten minutes a day."
(His CD "A Call To Joy" is the very entertaining story of his spiritual journey that started in this way.) I sort of do this at home each morning, but would like to do it as he suggests in a quiet church. I envision the big cathedral that's always open. What time does OLM open its doors in the AM? There is a chapel at Memorial Hospital that I may try. His comments on the role of Eucharistic Adoration are appreciated.
From this starting point, Kelly says that we can then begin to answer the big question of the mission that God has chosen for us, of finding our holy vocation for which we were created. He then talks of the problems of "action without prayer." Our works must have as their foundation the TRUTH of the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ, and seeing Christ in those around us. We keep this focus, and gain our strength, through constant prayer. "The measure of your life will be the measure of your prayer."
To close, I will quote from what my daughter's fourth grade class had to learn just this past week (she doesn't remember the author): "Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny."
- John Paul

2 comments:

  1. Wow! I happened to see that exact same quote this past week, again with no reference to who actually penned or said it. It was written out on a piece of paper attached to the referigerator in the kitchen of the Missionaries of Charity house in Atlanta. I copied it down in the notes section of my iPhone. We were there on Saturday am for a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Gregory in honor of Mother Teresa's 100th birthday, had she lived this long.

    By the way, her stamp is out....please go buy a whole bunch and use them! Here is a great opportunity to "buy Catholic"!!!

    Luke

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  2. Finding a quiet place is important--and hard. OLM is generally open 7AM to about 3 PM. Keep in mind that St. Jude has adoration every weekday--not sure of the hours but they are on the website. There are times even that is not quiet, though as there are novenas that are prayed and if you happen to be there during mass (for the school), it is piped in--still a good place to go and be alone with Jesus, more or less.

    We created an oratory in our house--just a corner set aside and fallen out of use during renovations, but now that they are done I expect we will make use of it again--try that, or make space outside, anywhere you can get away and be still.

    I find walking is a good way to invite silence, and sometimes (not as often as I would like) will take lunch time to walk around the block several times just to get away.

    All I can suggest is to keep trying until you find something that works......silence is important, as Kelly says. And it is work, at least at the beginning.

    Another suggestion is to find silence in the car--don't listen to radio or tapes or CDs, just use drive time as your time of silence.

    Oddly, the best silence I have had lately was in gardening (an activity I do not otherwise like at all)--no wonder the great contemplatives recommended physical labor. Of course, my session of contemplation aided by weeding came fully equipped with a case of poison oak, but you get the point....weed, rake leaves (no blowers allowed), bake bread, pile rocks--do something that occupies your body with something reasonably physically demanding and your mind might just go silent for a while...giving God and chance to get a word in edgewise.

    Martha

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